“FARWELL SERMON”



On the ninth day of the Islamic month Dhul Hijjah 10 AH (632CE)—the day of Arafat at his first and last Pilgrimage to Mecca—Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave this ‘Farewell Sermon’ to his people after leading them in prayer. Having praised and beseeched guidance and forgiveness from Allah and witnessed that no god exists but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:



[“O people, lend me an attentive ear, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. O people, just as you regard this month, this day and this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and that He will indeed reckon your deeds (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Beware of Satan for your safety of your religion as Satan has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve as well as never to commit adultery (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. I leave behind me what if you follow you will never go astray, the Quran (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) Your god is Allah the One and your father is Adam and Adam is of earth. The noblest of you is only the most pious to Allah (so be my witness O Allah that I have conveyed your message.) All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words be better than those who listen to me directly.”]



PEACE AND MERCY OF ALLAH BE UPON YOU